What to do, what to do? Nowhere to go and all this time on your hands. My Facebook feed is filled with friends’ posts of cooking projects, spring cleaning, doing online exercise classes. We are an enterprising bunch, aren’t we? Being productive, useful can help chase the blues. Creativity is life.
My friend, Robin, who is holed up in Westchester, New York, makes elaborate meal plans. That’s what brings her joy, and helps her manage food waste, too.
Robin’s (rather impressive) meal plan.
Another friend, Edward, posted a video of himself doing an online exercise/dance routine to get us inspired to move.
Edward is rockin’ it.
Me, well, since most of my coaching and branding clients have put things on pause for the moment, I’ve begun the Investing in My Long-Neglected Projects Plan. You’re seeing Phase I of it, here, each day. I’m going to do all things I’ve had to put off because I had been (happily) working 14 hours a day on client work. But now, I can tackle my new website, finally launch my online branding courses, finish those book proposals, write articles, expand my social media—all those things that are so necessary to grow a business that for some reason, while I did them for others, I neglected to do for myself. Lemons=lemonade.
We have slowed down the noise of our lives and what’s left is…our lives. Now we are beginning to see just how much more we have to give, to learn, to accomplish. No more excuses. In all this quiet space, imagine how much more we can expand.
Some things to do from home for mind, body, and soul:
Free cooking classes
Free Met opera performances
Free reads thanks to the New York Public Library
Free workouts
For more free classes, entertainment, and more, go here
Post your ideas & projects in the comments!
Get caught up on my diary, here.
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Tip for the day: Time on your hands is time for yourself.
When considering a project to tackle during this downtime, remember the one project we neglect the most: self-care. From exercise to meditation to diet and even personal grooming, take some of this newfound time to give yourself some TLC. There are free courses everywhere right now to learned how to be healthier and happier. Get yourself in better shape, physically and emotionally, and the rest will take care of itself.
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Some inspiration
Click book to buy.
Click book to buy.
Aaaand a shameless plug. Click book to buy.
My (Parttime) Paris Life 
Hello, Lisa, long time no talk. I’m here in Royan, on lockdown like you, but we do have the ocean, even though we’re only allowed to walk on the trottoir opposite the boardwalk! Thanks for the encouragement. I’m “sheltering in place” here – I don’t like the idea of going back to the US right now. When I get back to Paris, perhaps there will be time to meet. All the best to you as you change course in midstream! I can certainly identify. Bisous, Sara (online friend of Lisa Huff, remember?)
Hi Sara. So nice to hear from you. What I wouldn’t give to be having lunch again on the terrace at Grappe d’Or in Montorgueil, where we met up. Soon I hope. Stay well and be well!
Thanks Lisa! I’m a Buffalo gal who read your book and have since been to Paris 3 times. (Was just there January/February) Appreciate your posts and being informed on what’s happening in Paris. Merci Beaucoup!! Antoinette
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Hey Buffalo! I hope everyone there is faring okay. I have nearly my entire family there, including my brother & niece so my heart is with you all. Stay well. Be well.
It’s so reassuring to hear from an actual real live person ( other than the news people) regarding the everyday trials and tribulations we all are experiencing. And you express it all so well. I hail from beautiful Greenville S.C. in the northwest corner of the state. I’m a transplant from NY. We are nestled in the foothills of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m a transplant from NY. And spent my twenties auditioning, doing theater as a actress and singer, singing in bands, doing some studio work while there. Since We are practicing social distancing I’m catching up on art projects to send out to family and friends with the intention to connect and raise their spirits. Love your book and have recommended it to many of my fellow readers. Keep your blog coming. Love your style, your openness and all the information. We are not alone.
Hello, Lisa. I appreciate your Lockdown in Paris diary, both for its accounts of how the pandemic is affecting your life and for your insights on how to cope with the incredible situation/s we find ourselves in because of the pandemic. Here in Portland, state and local leaders “strongly advise” the general public to “stay at home” except for grocery shopping, urgent medical needs or essential work and to maintain social distancing when we are not at home (walking our dogs, for instance). We expect “mandatory” lockdown to come any day. As the weather has been gorgeous for most of the last 3 weeks, we have spent as much non-work time as we can tending our garden or walking our dog. Many on our urban street (of single-family homes) are helping others who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition to joining those efforts, we are doing from home what work we can do online or by telephone. Everything in the future is uncertain, but we are rather accustomed to that, since my husband has been in treatment for metastatic cancer since July of 2018. Our adult children (one of whom has baby twins) live in the Bay Area and in NYC, and we’ve been video chatting with them frequently. We’ve invited both kids and their spouse/partner/twins/dogs to come live with us (in the house in which they grew up) during the pandemic, but they have declined…they want to stay in and support their communities. Over and out for now, Leslie
Thank you for sharing your personal story, Leslie. Having someone in your life fighting cancer does put things in perspective. This event has reminded us that the future and our sense of security is, and has always been, an illusion. Best to cherish each day. I have been chided by a reader that this is not a big deal and we should stop all our fretting and whining, that the Spanish Flu and Depression were real crises. When you compare this to those events (at this moment in time), there is truth to that. I’ve been already in that head space. This shall pass. Stay well. Be well.